HATCH:
Yes, and they arrive so late.

ALICE:
(laughingly)
Now, that's much better. It's so nice of you to have a sense of
humor. While you're there, just close those blinds, please, so
that the neighbors can't see what scandalous hours we keep. And
then you can make a light. This is much too gloomy for a supper
party.

HATCH:
(closing shutters)
Yes, if those were shut it might be safer.

(He closes shutters and turns on the two electric lights. REDDY
and HARRY enter, carrying plates.)

HARRY:
We aren't regular waiters, miss, but we think we're pretty good for
amateurs.

REDDY:
We haven't forgot nothing. Not even napkins. Have some napkins?

(Places a pile of folded napkins in front of ALICE. Then sits at
head of table, HARRY to lower right of table. ALICE moves her
chair away from the table, but keeping REDDY on her right. HATCH
sits still further away from the table on her left.)

ALICE:
Thanks. Put the plates down there. And may I help you to some--

REDDY:
(taking food in fingers)
Oh, we'll help ourselves.

ALICE:
Of course you're accustomed to helping yourselves, aren't you?
(To HATCH.)
Won't you join them?

HATCH:
No.

(Through the scene which follows, REDDY and HARRY continue to eat
and drink heartily.)

ALICE:
No? Well, then, while they're having supper, you and I will talk.
If you're going to gag me soon, I want to talk while I can.
(Rises and hands box to him.)
Have a cigar?

HATCH:
(takes cigar)
Thanks.

ALICE:
(standing with hand on back of chair)
Now, I want to ask you some questions. You are an intelligent man.
Of course, you must be, or you couldn't have kept out of jail for
twenty years. To get on in your business, a man must be
intelligent, and he must have nerve, and courage. Now--with those
qualities, why, may I ask--why are you so stupid as to be a
burglar?

HARRY:
Stupid!

REDDY:
Well, I like that!

HATCH:
Stupid? Why, I make a living at it.

ALICE:
How much of a living?

HATCH:
Ten thousand a year.

ALICE:
Ten thousand--well, suppose you made FIFTY thousand. What good is
even a hundred thousand for ONE year, if to get it you risk
going to prison for twenty years? That's not sensible. Merely as
a business proposition, to take the risk yo